Democratic Party Chief Kim Min-seok Apologizes for Gov. Choo Mi-ae's 'Financial Leech' Remark, Requests Direct Apology
Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok apologized on behalf of the party to firefighters and the public on the 17th via a press notice regarding Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae's 'financial leech' remark. The controversy originated from a National Assembly Administrative and Safety Committee audit of Gyeonggi Province on the 13th. Governor Choo stirred controversy when she said, regarding the fire service budget, that "fire services are like the biggest financial leech that gives us headaches." Criticism spread after Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok, who had been dispatched to a factory fire in Bucheon, died in the line of duty in the early hours of the 17th.
Han Byung-do, the Democratic Party's floor leader, also wrote on Facebook: "The dedication of firefighters who rush to the scene to protect the lives and safety of the people is more sublime and precious than anything else." He added that the party would strive to support safety improvements and better treatment so that firefighters can carry out their missions in a safe environment.
The People Power Party mourned the deceased while ratcheting up its criticism of Governor Choo. Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk expressed his condolences on Facebook, saying, "I bow my head in mourning for the deceased and offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved family." He also emphasized that the party would review the realities of the fire service budget from scratch and come up with proper alternatives.
Governor Choo visited the mortuary for Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok at the funeral hall of Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital in Bucheon on the 17th and apologized, saying her remarks "were conveyed in a way that differed from her intentions."
Gyeonggi Province is holding the funeral under its jurisdiction and has formed a funeral committee chaired by Governor Choo, with the memorial service scheduled for the 19th at Bucheon Gymnasium. The province is also pursuing administrative procedures for a one-rank posthumous promotion, the Okgwan Order of Civil Merit, burial at Seoul National Cemetery, and designation as a national meritorious figure.
